Senator Tom Coburn Vows To Hold Up 9-11 Health Care Bill

Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn says he will stop the bill to help Ground Zero workers from getting through the Senate before Christmas. The $6.2 billion bill has the votes, but senators can put up procedural hurdles.

The outlay would be covered by a 2% fee on imports and services from companies that are not members of the Agreement on Government Procurement, a treaty of the World Trade Organization. Congress would also continue a fee on travelers to the U.S. and a charge on outsourcing companies that have most of their employees on visas to work in America.

Mr. Coburn wants the package to be funded through spending cuts, the aide said. He and others in his party have questioned whether the money would overlap with workers’ compensation and other aid provided to Sept. 11 first responders.